Seventeen (Age)

Mike Krol's 'Seventeen (Age)' is a poignant exploration of the eternal struggle between the desire to grow up and the longing to remain in the carefree days of youth. The song captures the essence of being seventeen, a time characterized by wide-eyed wonder, uncertainty, and the thrill of rebellion. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young person grappling with the transition from adolescence to adulthood, a theme that resonates deeply with listeners who have experienced the bittersweet nature of growing up.

The opening lines, 'I'll always be age seventeen / Wide eyed, with limbs still shaking,' set the tone for the song, evoking a sense of perpetual youth and the nervous excitement that comes with it. The mention of being 'at home alone' and the 'dial tone' dragging on for hours suggests a feeling of isolation and the passage of time, a common experience for many teenagers. The protagonist's desire to take the van and drive aimlessly reflects a yearning for freedom and adventure, a hallmark of teenage rebellion.

As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the protagonist's internal conflict. The repeated refrain, 'Don't take me back / It won't be the same,' underscores the inevitability of change and the fear of losing the innocence and simplicity of youth. The imagery of hitting a spot in a parking lot and hopping fences with friends highlights the spontaneous and carefree nature of teenage life. However, the lines 'I'm rich and poor, a few more weeks / Unlike the moon this is going down' hint at the fleeting nature of this period, emphasizing that it is temporary and will eventually come to an end.

The song's conclusion, with the protagonist addressing their parents and expressing a desire to sleep in and drop out, encapsulates the rebellious spirit of adolescence. The final line, 'And I'm drunk thinking,' suggests a sense of confusion and introspection, as the protagonist grapples with their identity and the impending responsibilities of adulthood. 'Seventeen (Age)' by Mike Krol is a powerful ode to the complexities of growing up, capturing the essence of youth with its mix of excitement, rebellion, and inevitable change.